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Israel Housing and Construction Minister Uri Ariel (Jewish Home) recently declared, "we need to build a real Temple on the Temple Mount." Israel Today’s Jonathan David talked to average Israelis on the streets of Jerusalem to see if they agree.

Arlene Alyehs: “Yes! It’s a symbol for Jews all over the world, especially for religious Jews. It’s the site of the Temple and I think the third Temple should be rebuilt; hopefully in our time.”

Eliran Maalumi: “That will take time; it’s not something that will happen in a day.”

Aline Szewkeis: “I’m Jewish and Judaism says that when Messiah comes, we will rebuild the Temple. At this time the Messiah did not arrive yet. Let’s think about this in the future. Now is not the time to think about this.”

Ariel Aharon: “It’s not supposed to come as an act of argument and all of that. It’s a blessed thing. It should be built in a peaceful way and everyone will be blessed.”

Naom Shiff: “I think it’s more for the far future than a plan that should be executed right now.”

Agee Gottdiemer: “First of all, there’s no such thing as ‘new Temple’. There is one Temple and it has been destroyed twice. There’s no such thing as old Temple or new Temple. Rebuilt Temple!”

Tamar Roller: “No, because we believe that God will build it and He will bring it. We don’t do it in our own hands. We know God can do everything, so it’s taking from His big and mighty power if we don’t trust that He will be able to build it and in the right place. So, it’s not for us to do it. You can’t force it to come; it’s up to God.”

Joseph Simon: “If the Temple were to be rebuilt now it would cause a huge argument with the Jewish people. Because many hold that it shouldn’t be, many hold that it should be. No one knows who’s right or who’s wrong. That’s why we need the Messiah. It would be nice to see a Jewish house over there; something to present to say that this is a Jewish mountain. This is our gift from God. Not only for the Jewish people; when the Temple was built many non-Jews came also.”

"I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, 'Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.'" (Revelation 11:1-2)

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